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The Trajectory of Change for Children and Youth in Residential Treatment

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Abstract

This study examined the symptom response trajectories for 225 children and youth throughout a period of residential treatment. With the 10-item Conners’ Global Index (CGI) as the primary outcome measure, assessments were completed on a bi-weekly basis during the average 4 month stay within the youth’s residential treatment. Clients demonstrated an ongoing reduction of symptoms, and the severity of baseline symptoms influenced the trajectory of the symptom reduction. In addition, symptom reduction was characterized as logarithmic, particularly when controlling for the baseline severity of symptoms. Implications of these findings for administrators, practitioners, and researchers of residential treatment are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    J. W. Noftle & A. Leschied

  2. Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    S. Cook

  3. Child and Parent Resource Institute, London, ON, Canada

    J. St. Pierre & S. L. Stewart

  4. School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, N6A 5C2, London, ON, Canada

    A. M. Johnson

Authors
  1. J. W. Noftle
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  2. S. Cook
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  3. A. Leschied
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  4. J. St. Pierre
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  5. S. L. Stewart
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  6. A. M. Johnson
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Correspondence to A. M. Johnson.

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Noftle, J.W., Cook, S., Leschied, A. et al. The Trajectory of Change for Children and Youth in Residential Treatment. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 42, 65–77 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0200-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0200-7

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